As part of the Digital Uzbekistan – 2030 strategy, the country is implementing a range of initiatives aimed at expanding the use of modern information technologies, developing IT education, enhancing the knowledge and professional skills of industry specialists, preparing young people for the labour market, and guiding them towards promising career opportunities. The efforts being undertaken in Andijan Region deserve particular recognition.

“Work to develop digital education in our region is being carried out systematically and consistently in line with established plans,” said Sherzodbek Madaminjonov, Chief Specialist at the Andijan Regional Office of the Centre for Digital Education Development under the Ministry of Digital Technologies.

According to him, these efforts are being implemented through the Five Million Artificial Intelligence Leaders project, the Towards Prosperity through Digitalisation programme, and a platform designed to prepare young people and public servants for international IT certification.

Under the Five Million Artificial Intelligence Leaders initiative, launched at the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan, a total of five million school pupils, university students, teachers and public servants are expected to receive training by 2030.

The aileaders.uz platform, established as part of the initiative, aims to provide the public and young people with access to free online courses in artificial intelligence and information technology. The project seeks to improve digital literacy, develop independent learning and practical skills, guide participants towards modern, high-paying professions, and build a competitive workforce in the field of artificial intelligence.

In May this year, 96 participants from Andijan Region who achieved outstanding results under the project were recognised as winners of the National Competition and received well-deserved awards.

To support the implementation of the initiative, the Andijan regional division of the Ministry of Digital Technologies and the regional office of the Centre for Digital Education Development regularly organise awareness-raising events, meetings and presentations in cooperation with district and city administrations, higher and vocational education institutions, and general education schools.

During the first half of this year, the Five Million Artificial Intelligence Leaders project reached a total of 374,000 users in Andijan Region. Of these, 310,000 participants studied through AISTUDY courses on the aileaders.uz platform, while another 64,000 took courses offered by Coursera. Participants included school pupils, university students, teachers and public servants.

In addition, the Andijan branch of IT Park Uzbekistan offers training courses in nearly 20 IT-related fields. More than 350 young people are currently enrolled in these programmes.

Efforts are also being made to strengthen artificial intelligence skills among public servants, as well as managers and employees of organisations and institutions. In particular, the mayors of all 16 districts and cities in the region, their deputies, and 5,500 managers and employees from various organisations and institutions have received training in artificial intelligence, enhancing their knowledge and professional competencies.

Under the Towards Prosperity through Digitalisation programme, free courses have also been introduced to help young people registered in the social register acquire modern professional skills in information technology. During the period under review, more than 4,500 young people included in the register completed online courses through the itstudy.uz platform.

Meanwhile, more than 300 young people have participated in training through the platform for preparing young people and public servants for international IT certification and have obtained international IT certificates.

To encourage young people to pursue modern careers, introduce them to international best practices in information technology, and share practical experience and insights into professional success, nearly 40 meetings, presentations and other events have been organised across the region under the “MEET UP” initiative, with the participation of experienced IT professionals.

At the Digital City technology park in Andijan, a series of seminars, training sessions and practical meetings have been held under the “GAP Ayollar IT-klubi” project for women and girls interested in information technology. The initiative helps participants strengthen their knowledge and skills in modern professions, digital technologies and innovation, while supporting their professional development and employment opportunities.

“At an event organised as part of the project, I shared my professional experience with women and girls interested in information technology. I spoke about the role and importance of digital tools in managing work effectively and explained how these technologies can be used in practice. The participants welcomed the opportunity and gained a better understanding of the extensive opportunities offered by the IT sector,” said Nilufar Nuralieva, founder of the English-language private school ENGLISH LIFE in Andijan.

In April this year, Andijan State University hosted the national INFOTEACH – 2026 forum for teachers of informatics and information technology. The event brought together approximately 400 educators from different regions of Uzbekistan.

The training sessions followed a programme developed by the Centre for Digital Education Development and involved experienced speakers and industry specialists. Participants gained essential knowledge and practical skills relevant to the IT sector.

The commissioning of the IT Shaharcha Youth Information Technology Centre in Khanabad has further expanded opportunities for young people to access IT education.

The centre has the capacity to train more than 400 young people annually. Most importantly, the initiative enables pupils in Grades 5–11 to acquire foundational knowledge of digital technologies and foreign languages free of charge.

Overall, Andijan Region continues to implement systematic measures to develop digital education, guide young people towards modern professions and improve digital literacy across the population. These initiatives are expected to contribute to a growing generation of young people equipped with advanced IT knowledge, strong intellectual potential and competitive professional skills.